Giants: 2nd-round draft picks signed

Friday

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Giants signed second-round draft picks Clint Sintim and William Beatty on Thursday, leaving first-round choice Hakeem Nicks as the team's only unsigned rookie.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Giants signed second-round draft picks Clint Sintim and William Beatty on Thursday, leaving first-round choice Hakeem Nicks as the team's only unsigned rookie.

Sintim, a linebacker from Virginia who was the 45th pick overall, and Beatty, an offensive tackle from Connecticut who was the 60th pick, each signed four-year deals. Financial terms were not available.

The Giants, who report to training camp on Sunday, waived receiver Micah Rucker and linebacker Kelvin Smith to make room on their roster for Sintim and Beatty.

Sintim started 48 games for Virginia and had 245 tackles and 27 sacks, tying for second on the school list. He also had five forced fumbles and three recoveries. Last season, he had 70 tackles and a career-high 11 sacks.

Beatty started 35 of 39 games for Connecticut. He was a Big East Conference first-team selection last season and one of the reasons that Huskies halfback Donald Brown led the nation in rushing.

Nicks, a receiver from North Carolina, was the 29th pick overall.

Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce appeared Thursday before the grand jury investigating gun charges against former teammate Plaxico Burress and was expected to return Friday.

Pierce did not comment as he left the courthouse. "We expect the grand jury testimony to continue tomorrow," said his lawyer, Micahel Bachner. "At that point, after that, we'll make a statement."

Pierce's testimony Thursday came one day after Burress appeared before the grand jury in hopes of persuading the panel not to indict him on charges of carrying an unlicensed firearm.

Pierce was with Burress on Nov. 29 at the Latin Quarter club in Manhattan when the wide receiver shot himself in the leg. Authorities say Pierce removed the gun from the scene and took it to Burress' home in Totowa, N.J. Pierce also drove Burress to the hospital.

"Mr. Pierce is here voluntarily today to explain his side of the story so the grand jury understands what occurred on that day," Bachner said.

Giants co-owner John Mara defended Pierce this week, saying any charges against the linebacker would be "unwarranted."

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